how do I clean and polish a bicycle?

Answer 1

I used to detail my bike with a rag and a degreaser and then use furniture polish on the frame (I have a bare titanium frame with some decals). It took a while but looked great.

Now, the faster and easier way to clean it is by using a liquid dish soap which is very good at cutting through grease and dirt. Also keep a degreaser like Simple Green or Orange Blast handy. Get a bucket and a brush with soft bristles, a wheel spoke brush (both from auto supply store) and another brush with stiffer bristles to do the cogs (get this one from a bike shop, Park Tools makes one).
http://meguiars.com/?wheel-tire-brushes/Ultra-Safe-Wheel-Spoke-Brush
http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=8&item=BCB%2D4

Use a hose and wet the bike being careful not to use a strong jet specially on bottom bracket and headset areas. The whole bike can get wet, it won't hurt it. Spray the degreaser on your cassette, chain, crankarm and chainrings and your bar tape if its dirty. Use your brushes and the soap to remove the crud. Rinse with water. Get a rag to dry bike OR use compressed air OR use a leaf blower. You'd be done washing and drying in 5 minutes.

You can use regular car wax. Better yet, get a spray wax or a quick detail spray (auto parts store). I use Klasse All-In-One on my car and on my bike. I use a leather conditioner on my saddle and Wenol metal polish on my shiny metals.

Happy polishing.

Answer 2

Start by cleaning the transmission by soaking everything down in degreaser then rinse it off with a stiff brush and a hose. Soak down the entire bike with water, brush off stubborn dirt with a stiff brush and wash thoroughly with dish soap or car wash. Dry the the bike thoroughly, then apply a paste wax with a small, damp, sponge. Wait until the wax hazes then buff off with a soft, clean cotton rag. Never wax your rims, around the brakes, or seat post and remember to lubricate your chain before you ride.

Answer 3

the best way i found to get small areas of rust of my bicycle was with a light colored vinegar. no joke.

i dipped a rag (that i didnt mind throwing away later) in apple cider vinegar and used that to remove the rust and dirty areas of my bike. it worked wonders!

Answer 4

to do a great job - wash the bike, then take the wheels off, take your time, to do it right will take a couple of hours

Answer 5

with car wax the spray on type